Membership

Become a Center Member!

Only with the support of members and donors can the important mission of the Center be accomplished. Membership at the San Diego Archaeological Center helps you to save our history and heritage and entitles you to special benefits, such as free admission to the Museum, invitations to member events, discounts on lectures and workshops, and behind-the-scenes tours.

You can now choose an Annual Membership or a Monthly Membership payment plan – it’s up to you.  All membership levels and benefits are available on both options.

Purchase Annual Membership or Purchase Monthly Membership

Annual Membership can also be purchased over the phone at 760-291-0370 or by sending a check to the following address:

San Diego Archaeological Center
Attn: Membership
16666 San Pasqual Valley Road
Escondido, CA 92027

Membership Levels & Benefits

Membership Benefits for Individual ($50 or $5/month)
Includes membership for 1 individual

  • Free museum admission
  • Discount on event tickets
  • Member newsletter
  • SDAC decal
  • Borrowing privileges for SDAC Reference Library
  • Reciprocal admission to 60+ museums in San Diego County during The Big Exchange

Membership Benefits for Dual ($85 or $8/month)
Includes membership for up to 2 individuals (2nd individual can be listed as Guest of Member)

  • All of the above benefits plus
  • 2 guest passes to the museum
  • Invitation to member events

Membership Benefits for Household ($150 or $15/month)
Includes membership for up to 3 individuals (3rd individual can be listed as Guest of Member)

  • All of the above benefits plus
  • 2 additional guest passes to the museum (4 passes total)
  • SDAC lanyard
  • Free gift with gift shop purchases of $100+
  • ROAM reciprocal membership to museums outside of 25-mile radius

Membership Benefits for Steward ($300 or $30/month)
Includes membership for up to 3 individuals (2nd and/or 3rd individual(s) can be listed as Guest of Member)

  • All of the above benefits plus
  • 2 complimentary member event tickets
  • SDAC tote bag
  • Choice of 1 benefit from Tier 1

Membership Benefits for Benefactor ($500 or $50/month)
Includes membership for up to 3 individuals (2nd and/or 3rd individual(s) can be listed as Guest of Member)

  • All of the above benefits plus
  • Invitation to VIP member events
  • Choice of 1 benefit from Tier 2

Membership Benefits for Patron ($1,000 or $100/month)
Includes membership for up to 3 individuals (2nd and/or 3rd individual(s) can be listed as Guest of Member)

  • All of the above benefits plus
  • Discount on renting SDAC classroom/museum space
  • Choice of 1 benefit from Tier 3
Membership Benefit Options

Tier 1
Steward, Benefactor, and Patron level members may choose one of the following one-time benefits:

  • SDAC t-shirt
  • SDAC bandana
  • Complimentary Dual membership to give as gift
  • Behind the scenes tour for 2 guests
  • Behind the scenes tour gift certificate for 2 guests

Tier 2
Benefactor and Patron level members may choose one of the following one-time benefits:

  • Signed copy of book from lecture or gift shop
  • Behind the scenes tour for 4 guests
  • Behind the scenes tour gift certificate for 4 guests
  • 2 complimentary Annual BBQ tickets

Tier 3
Patron level members may choose one of the following one-time benefits:

  • Sponsorship privileges for 1 classroom outreach program
  • Lunch with an archaeologist
  • Field visit to an archaeological site

To replace lost membership cards, please contact the Development Department.

Collections Research

With the assistance of Center staff, the intern will identify, design, and conduct an original research project that uses the Center’s archaeological collections. The intern will formulate a plan for public dissemination of the project results as a journal publication, a museum exhibit, or a public class or lecture. During the course of the research and dissemination planning, the intern will receive training in research design, collections management, artifact analysis, and exhibit design and production as appropriate to the selected project.

Archaeology Lab Positions

Volunteers will prepare one or more archaeological collections for curation. Center staff will instruct the volunteer on archaeological laboratory procedures such as basic artifact analysis, manual and computer cataloging, storage requirements, and preventative conservation.

Exhibitions

Exhibitions Volunteers assist with the design, construction, and installation of Center Museum exhibits.

Volunteers work in the Center’s Research Library, cataloguing materials and organizing on a computer-based system.

Marketing and Administrative Volunteers assist the Development Office or Administration Office with data entry, updating marketing materials and clerical tasks. Computer experience is a plus.

Docents welcome visitors and answer general questions regarding the Center and exhibits. Docents staff the gift shop and help out with administrative and curatorial tasks.

Volunteers support event activities at the Center, such as the Annual BBQ, lectures, workshops, and fundraising events. Be a part of the party!

Volunteer provide support for K-12 programs offered at the Center. These are fun, hands-on programs that kids really enjoy. Teaching experience is a plus, but not required. Background checks are required.

Collections Management

With the assistance of Center staff, the intern will prepare one or more archaeological collections for curation. During the course of the internship, the intern will learn to identify artifacts and ecofacts common to the San Diego region, including lithics, ceramics, historical objects, and faunal, botanical, and mineral specimens. Center staff will instruct the intern on archaeological laboratory procedures such as basic artifact analysis, manual and computer cataloguing, storage requirements, and preventative conservation. In addition, the intern will become familiar with historical trends in archaeological practice in the San Diego area and will be introduced to current legal and ethical issues in archaeological curation as well as the concerns and rights of culturally affiliated groups with regard to archaeological materials.

Development and Marketing

Under the direction of Center staff, the intern will support the department in various activities, including, but not limited to, fundraising and grant research; e-newsletter development; social media marketing; and website maintenance. This internship will give the intern valuable, real-world experience in non-profit fundraising and marketing.

Geographical Information Systems in Archaeology

Prospective Interns must have completed three courses: Introduction to GIS, GIS Database Management, and Intermediate/Advanced Methods in GIS. The intern will be assigned a project where they will create shapefiles and maps for curated archaeological collections, museum exhibits, and/or public outreach using ArcGIS 10.6. Center staff will instruct the intern on archaeological GIS laboratory procedures such as computer cataloguing, storage requirements, and database management.

Library Science

With the assistance of Center staff, the intern will arrange and catalog materials in the Center’s library. During the course of the internship, the intern will take a leading role in the cataloging, sorting and storing of research files and creating user guides for these collections. Center staff will instruct the intern on archival procedures, computer cataloging, storage requirements, and preventative conservation.

Public Archaeology

With the assistance of Center staff, interns will research, design, and produce a project that educates the public about archaeology or a related field using the Center’s archaeological collections. Interns may create virtual museum exhibits and related activities, develop curricula for K-12 programs in line with current content standards, or plan and present a public class or lecture. Per approval, special projects of the intern’s choosing are also available. During the course of the research and planning, the intern will receive guidance as appropriate to the selected project.